VANCOUVER, Jan. 17, 2019 /CNW/ - MEC, Canada's go-to place for outdoor gear and know-how, is expanding their expertise to travel services with the launch of MEC Adventures, an international travel program designed with a focus on outdoor activity and responsible tourism. MEC is adding global partners to their trusted expertise to offer an unparalleled blend of physical activity, cultural discovery and specialized tour itinerary.

MEC Adventures tours are available to book now with departures starting in June 2019, and will launch with 18 travel itineraries with experiences such as:

An Everest base camp trek

Hike the W Circuit in Patagonia

Experience the mountains, city and coast in Morocco

Vietnam cycling tour

Food and wine hiking tour of Italy'sAmalfi Coast

Summit Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

Multi-sport adventure in New Zealand

Nature tour inCosta Rica

"While planning MEC Adventures, we asked 2,407 members and 524 staff about the destinations and activities they were interested in," said MEC Director of Adventure Travel, Allison Brownlie. "From there, MEC worked with local partners to plan and organize all of our trip itineraries creating seamless, active and all-around awesome experiences for our travellers."

MEC Adventures tours range from 8 to 15 days, covering 5 continents, and each has an activity rating, from level 1 (more relaxed) to level 5 (more intense). Most trips feature at least one full day dedicated to choosing a personal itinerary so that travellers have the opportunity to try out additional activities such as rock climbing, mountain biking, snorkeling, paddling and surfing. Tours are led by MEC Adventure Guides with a maximum number of 12-16 travellers per group.

MEC has engaged with local partners and businesses whenever possible to ensure responsible tourism and authentic travel experiences, from the trip itineraries to locally owned accommodations, shops and cafes. MEC's operating partners have also identified local social enterprises that can benefit from tourism.

"MEC is one of Canada's most-trusted brands and has been guided by our core values for over 45 years, so it was crucial that we take responsibility for how we show up around the world," explains Brownlie. "This includes everything from child and animal welfare, to creating positive economic impact, having respectful interactions with Indigenous People, and environmental considerations such as minimizing the consumption of single use plastics while we travel."

MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) is Canada's go-to place for outdoor gear, know-how and inspiration. Combining high-quality apparel and equipment with expert advice and firsthand experience, MEC supports a wide range of activities including camping, snowsports, watersports, cycling, climbing, hiking, running, yoga and travel. Established in 1971, MEC is Canada's largest consumer co-operative with over 5 million members across the country. A lifetime membership is available for $5. A strong backer of community initiatives, MEC has invested over $41 million and counting into non-profit organizations that support outdoor recreation and conservation. For more information, visit www.mec.ca and follow @mec, or visit one of our 23 stores nationwide.